Andy Powell stakes Lions claim

The giant Wales No 8 Andy Powell has the talent and attitude to worry the Boks

THE Lions have found their No 8 and it's not even Christmas. Andy Powell might need a bit of buffing and polishing before stepping out in South Africa, but he has emerged as more than just an uncut diamond from these autumn internationals.

Admittedly, coaches from Leicester to Beziers will not envy Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, or Ian McGeechan, the Lions head coach, their task of realising the potential of a self-styled rugby maverick, but if you can find a No 8 with a better turn of foot, who is close to 18st on the hoof, tackles like a dervish and relish-es physical challenge, then he probably has New Zealand parentage.

Last week against the All Blacks, the Cardiff Blues player did not capitalise on his eye-catching international debut against the world champions, South Africa, in the opening game of this Invesco Perpetual Series. But keeping company with the